Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
Can I Get Out of a Car Purchase If the Dealer Hid Accident History?
In Texas, you may have options if a dealer hid or failed to disclose important accident history when selling a car, but the available remedies depend heavily on the facts. The key questions are usually whether the accide...
Is it legal for a state to keep interest earned on money after it is escheated?
In general, the answer depends on the law that governs the unclaimed property and on what happened to the money while the state held it. Escheat or unclaimed property laws usually let the state take custody of abandoned...
How do I handle a crash caused by a driver who swerved to avoid an animal?
In Iowa, a crash caused by a driver who swerved to avoid an animal is usually handled as a negligence and insurance question, but the answer depends heavily on the facts. In general, the key issue is whether the driver a...
How do I handle a house cleaner who stole jewelry but denies it?
If you suspect a house cleaner took jewelry and denies it, the most important thing is usually to stay calm and document what happened. In Vermont, as in other states, theft allegations can be difficult when there is no...
Landlord says my emotional support animal letter is “from the internet” and denied it. What should I do?
If you are in New Jersey and your landlord says your emotional support animal, or ESA, letter is “from the internet” and refuses to accept it, the main issue is usually whether the landlord had a lawful basis to question...
Is it legal for the insurance company to total my car even though I want it repaired?
In general, yes. In Florida, an insurance company may be allowed to declare a vehicle a total loss even if you would prefer to have it repaired, depending on the policy, the damage, the car’s value, and the insurer’s est...
What happens if I bought a used car yesterday and the check engine light came on during the drive home?
If the check engine light came on during the drive home after you bought a used car in Iowa, that does not automatically mean the seller did something unlawful, but it may raise concerns about the car’s condition, the se...
What are my rights if my loan was discharged for disability and then reinstated?
If a loan was previously discharged because of disability and later reinstated, your rights usually depend on why the reinstatement happened, what notice you received, and what type of loan is involved. In general, a len...
What are my rights if a delivery company loses my $500 package?
If a delivery company loses your $500 package, you may have several possible rights and options, but they usually depend on the facts, the delivery contract, the company’s terms, and whether the shipper or recipient was...
Do I have to tell my insurance company if I settle privately with the other driver?
In general, you may still need to notify your insurance company even if you and the other driver settle the claim privately. A private agreement between drivers does not always replace your insurance policy duties. Many...
Do I have to pay an early termination fee if my internet service was down for 18 days?
In general, maybe not automatically. If your internet service was down for 18 days, that outage may matter when a provider tries to charge an early termination fee, but the answer usually depends on the contract language...
What are my rights if a hidden camera recorded me changing clothes at a gym?
If a hidden camera recorded you changing clothes at a gym in Illinois, you may have serious privacy concerns and possibly several legal options, depending on the facts. In general, recording someone in a changing area is...
Can My Landlord Require Professional Cleaning Even If the Lease Doesn’t Say So?
In general, a landlord may expect a rental unit to be returned in a reasonably clean condition, but that does not always mean the landlord can require professional cleaning if the lease does not say so. In Minnesota, the...
How do I modify an antiharassment order to add my new address after I moved?
In Washington, if you moved and need your new address reflected in an antiharassment order, the usual starting point is to review the order and any related court paperwork to see how the court handled address confidentia...
Is it legal for my ex to ask for alimony after the divorce was finalized two years ago?
In Indiana, an ex may be able to ask for post-divorce support in some situations, but it depends heavily on what was ordered in the divorce and what the law allows after the case is over. In many cases, once a divorce is...